Halloween Safety Tips

Jack-o-lanterns and uncarved pumpkin before a fence

Halloween and Trick or Treat Safety Tips for Parents, Children & Students

October 31st is a fun-filled night in which we can pretend to be someone or something else, and enjoy candy and sweets while we do it. What we sometimes don’t realize is that Halloween night can also be a very dangerous one, with many risks to your safety. While the Halloween safety tips that college students should utilize are different from those of young children, there are still safety measures that they should abide by to ensure a safe holiday. Protection 1 would like to offer the following Halloween safety tips for children and adults alike to ensure everyone has a fun and safe evening this Halloween.

Students

  • A Halloween safety tip of prime importance for college students is to never allow or invite strangers into your dorm or apartment.
  • Avoid areas that are not well lit, and try to walk in high-traffic areas.
  • Travel in groups as much as possible. If you must travel alone, let a trusted friend or family member know where you are and who you are with.
  • Keep your cell phone handy in case you get separated from your group or need to contact emergency services.
  • Make use of safe forms of transportations such as cabs.
  • If you are going to a party venue, familiarize yourself with the fire exits when you arrive so that you are prepared if an emergency evacuation occurs.
  • Be cautious when approaching strangers while in your costume so that you do not draw any unnecessary or negative attention.
  • While you and your friends may have coordinated costumes, strangers may not be as knowledgeable about your costume and its accompanying props. Don’t carry fake weapons. Not only do you want to avoid scaring those around you, but you also want to avoid alarming the police.
  • Don’t eat any opened or unwrapped food or candy.

Parents & Trick-or-Treaters

  • Watch for children in the street and on medians when driving.
  • Prepare your home for trick-or-treaters by clearing porches, lawns and sidewalks.
  • Keep lit pumpkins away from where children will be walking.
  • Establish a curfew for your children.
  • When leaving the house make sure you lock your doors and set your security alarm system.
  • Go only to well-lit houses, remain on porches rather than entering houses and stay in familiar neighborhoods.
  • Travel in groups and be accompanied by an adult.
  • If possible, carry a cell phone for emergency-know how to call 911.
  • Walk, don’t run and obey all traffic signals (cross only at corners).
  • Make sure costumes don’t drag on the ground and make sure your costume or mask does not obstruct your vision.